PSC vs VTI
Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PSC or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PSC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSC is less concentrated, with 8.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 495 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.65%Best | +13.60% |
| 1Y Return | +20.27%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.62% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2016 to Sep 25, 2026 (10 years).
PSC vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 10 years both funds cover.
PSC vs VTI Performance
Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSC returned +20.27% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, PSC is up 16.65% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, PSC compounded at +19.62% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.87% annualized vs +10.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 15.8% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -47.9% for PSC and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSC charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSC currently yields 0.52% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
92.3% of PSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's money is in holdings PSC also owns.
Most of PSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
453 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in PSC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 495 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,044 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PSC (96.4% of the fund), and 22 for PSC that do not appear in VTI (4.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZETAZeta Global Holdings Corp-A | 1.10% | 0.01% | 1.09% |
| WETFWisdomtree International Equity | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.96% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 0.90% | 0.01% | 0.89% |
| TXG10x Genomics Inc Com Usd 1 Cl A | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
| FRSHFreshworks Inc-Cl A | 0.86% | 0.00% | 0.86% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 0.82% | 0.01% | 0.81% |
| BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 0.75% | 0.01% | 0.74% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.71% | 0.01% | 0.70% |
| BKHBlack Hills Corp | 0.69% | 0.01% | 0.68% |
| CTRECaretrust Reit Inc Reit Usd.01 | 0.66% | 0.01% | 0.65% |
92.3% of PSC is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PSC or VTI?
PSC has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSC or VTI?
Over the past year PSC returned +20.27% vs +18.17% for VTI, so PSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), PSC annualized +10.95% vs +13.87% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSC or VTI?
PSC has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PSC -47.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both PSC and VTI?
PSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PSC and VTI?
92.3% of PSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's is in holdings PSC also owns. They hold 453 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in PSC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSC or VTI?
PSC yields 0.52% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PSC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSC is less concentrated, with 8.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.